Operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) of the Abia State Police Command have arrested a suspected kidnapper, Ibrahim Audu, and rescued a 46-year-old victim, Onyebuchi Nwaoha, in Ogwashi Forest, Umuahia. 

Maureen Chinaka, the command’s spokesperson, said in a statement on Friday that the operatives also recovered ₦830,000 ransom from the kidnappers’ hideout in the forest after the suspect and his gang members engaged the officers in a gun duel.

Mrs Chinaka said, “Abia Command apprehends suspected kidnapper, rescues victim and recovers ransom. Suspect: 1. Ibrahim Audu, Male, 42 years; Rescued victim: 1. Onyebuchi Nwaoha, Male, 46 years old, Umuahia; Exhibit recovered: 1. Eight Hundred and Thirty Thousand Naira Only (₦830,000.00).

“Acting on actionable intelligence, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Abia State Police Command, combed the Ogwashi Forest in Old Umuahia, Abia State, suspected to be a hideout for kidnappers.

“During the operation, the operatives were engaged by the kidnappers in a confrontation. The kidnappers, unable to withstand the superior firepower of the officers, fled the scene. 

“However, the above-mentioned suspect was apprehended, and the victim was successfully rescued while the ransom of Eight Hundred and Thirty Thousand Naira (₦830,000.00), collected from the victim’s family, was recovered.”

According to Mrs Chinaka, the investigation is ongoing, and efforts are underway to ensure the apprehension of other fleeing gang members.

Commissioner of Police, Danladi Isa, called for a collective effort to improve security and urged members of the public to always provide timely and useful information to the police.